Material handling apparatus



Nov. 25, 1941. A. c. DE LORME 2,263,721

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l a'rarr ssou INVENTOR AC. DE LORME ATTORNEY NOV. 25, 1941. Q 5 LQRME 2,263,721

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. so, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WNW! ' INVENTOR A DE LORME A TTOR/VE'Y Patented Nov. 25, 1941 HANDLING APPARATUS Alfred C. De Lorme, Maplewood, N. 1., minor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December so, 1938, Serial No. 248,438

16 Claims.

This invention relates to material handling apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for feeding stock to a material working machine.

The output of numerous material working machines, such as forming machines, various kinds of presses, etc., is frequently dependent upon the means provided to feed stock to the machines. If the stock can be fed with accuracy to such machines between the intervals of operation on the stock at greater speeds the machines may also operate at greater speeds, producing more parts in a given time and reducing the cost of producing such parts.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient and practical apparatus operable in synchronism with a material working machine to feed material thereto.

With this and other objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises a reciprocable slide element movable toward and away from a material working machine and operatively associated therewith to feed predetermined lengths of stock to the machine, the stock being secured to the element during the feeding movement thereof and held against movement during the return movement of the element.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the invention shown in combination with one type of material working machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of the apparatus and the machine;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is directed first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, wherein the apparatus is shown in combination with one type of material working machine, namely a punch press. The punch press shown in Fig. 1 may be of the conventional type having a base It supporting an anvil and die (not shown). Upright portions II and I2 supported by the base have bearings at their upper ends for rotatably supporting a crank l3. ,Connected to the crank is a connecting rod ll to cause reciprocation of a cross head I5 relative to the die during rotation of the crank. It is not believed necessary to show nor describe in detail the minute structures of such machines. The important factor to be considered is the advancement of material 20 to the machine during each cycle of operation of the cross head IS.

The embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 feeding the material to the machine consists of a support 2! formed with an upper surface grooved longitudinally at 24 for the reception of a tongue portion 25 of a slide or material feeding element 23. The element 23 is made hollow, at 28, for the passage of the material 20 therethrough and in the forward portion of the passageway a gripping member is disposed. The form of the gripping member may vary, depending upon the shape of the material being advanced. In the present embodiment the material is in the form of a flat ribbon. Therefore, the gripping member has a flat upper surface cooperating with a flat surface of the element 23 to grip the material when the gripping member is moved upwardly. Means for actuating the gripping member consists of a lever 3i pivoted at 32 to the element and extending through an inverted U-shaped yoke 33, the ends of the yoke being fixed to the gripping member while the sides thereof are slidable vertically between guideways 34. The free end of the lever 3! is operatively connected, at 35, to a solenoid core 36, the latter being actuable through the control of a solenoid 31.

Electrically operated means in the form of solenoids l0 and 4| have their cores 42 and 43, respectively, directly connected to the element 23 through rods 43 to cause respective movement of the element toward and away from the machine. The solenoids and 4| are mounted upon the ends of the support 2|. Adjustable set screws 45 and 46 mounted in vertical portions of the support 2| vary the distance of movement of the element toward or away from the machine and vary the total distance thatthe element may be moved.

Electrically controlled means is also provided to hold the material against movement when it has been advanced, thus holding it against displacement during operation on the material by the machine and during the return of the feeding element 23. This means consists of a gripping member 48 similar in contour to the gripping member 30, with the flat upper surface associated with a flat surface 49 of the support 2| to grip the material 20 therebetween. The grip ping member 48 also has an inverted substantially U-shaped portion 50 integral therewith and central vertically extending portion 53 of the portion is connected to a core 54 of a solenoid 55. The solenoids 31, 4|, 4| and 55 for controlling the operation of the apparatus are energized in predetermined timed relation with the operation of the machine through a plurality of switches indicated generally at 50 and mounted for rotation upon or with the crank I3. The switches 5|! are shown in pairs, three pairs of which are illustrated in the present embodiment, and alternate switches of each pair are electrically connected to the leads SI and 52 of a main circuit to supply electrical energy to the solenoids. Brushes 64 are positioned in suitable stationary supports to engage the switch segments on the crank during rotation thereof. Solenoids 40 and H control the movement of the element and as these solenoids will be energized for equal intervals of time they are, in the present embodiment, controlled through the same set of sequence switches. It will, therefore, be observed by viewing Fig. 1, that lead wires 55 and 55 extend from the solenoid II to the top pair of brushes positioned to engage the first pair (from the right) of switches. Lead wires 61 and 68 extend from the solenoid 40 to the lower pair of brushes positioned to engage this pair of switches. Lead wires 69 and Ill extend from the solenoid 55 to the first set of brushes (from the left) to electrically engage the adjacent pair of brushes.

Lead wires II and I2 extend from the center pair of brushes to contact strips I3 and I4, respectively, carried by the support 2| and positioned to be engaged by brushes I5 and I6, respectively, carried by the element 23. Leads TI and I8 connect the brushes I5 and 16, respectively, to the solenoid 31. The contact strips I3 and I4 and the brushes I5 and I6 are merely schematic illustrations of how the circuit for the solenoid 31 may be completed and other suitable means may be provided if so desired.

Upon considering the operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, attention is first directed to Fig. 3 which indicates, by a circle, the cycle of rotation of the machine and, of course, the cycle of rotation of the crank and the portion thereof carrying the switches 60. After the cross head I5 of the machine has completed its operation upon the material and moved a sufficient distance to be free of the material the switches controlling the circuit through the leads 59 and III to the solenoid 55 are moved free of their brushes to open the circuit to deenergize the solenoid and allow the gripping member 48 to drop by gravity, freeing its grip on the material. Shortly after this occurs, as is indicated in Fig. 3, the switches controlling the circuit to the solenoid 40 will complete a circuit through the leads 67 and 68 and the brushes associated therewith to energize the solenoid, and as a result thereof cause movement to the left of the element 23 advancing the material a predetermined distance limited by the set screw 45. The circuit to the solenoid 40 remains closed until the crank approaches the top of its cycle, as indicated in Fig. 3, at which time the circuit is opened. Immediately following the opening of the circuit to the solenoid 40 the circuit to the stationary gripping means, namely the gripping member 48 and its solenoid 55, is completed, energizing the solenoid and causing a gripping of the material between the member 48 and the surface 43. This circuit to the solenoid slidable in guideways 5| of the support ii. A

55 remains closed until after completion of the cycle of operation, that is, until the cross head completes its downward stroke and has passed a suilicient distance upwardly to free the material.

Shortly after the closing of the circuit to the solenoid 55 to cause a gripping of the material to hold it against movement, the circuit tothe solenoid 31, through the leads 'II and I2, the contacts I3 and I4, the brushes I5 and I6, and the leads TI and I8, is opened, allowing the gripping member 30, the lever 3| and the core 36 to move downwardly by gravity, freeing the material therefrom and conditioning the element for its return movement to the right. Shortly after the opening of the circuit to the solenoid 31, as indicated in Fig. 3, the circuit to the solenoid 4i, through the leads 65 and 66, their respective brushes, and the associated switches, is closed to energize the solenoid and cause movement of the element 23 to the right, which movement ismovement the circuit to the solenoid 4| is opened'."

Immediately following the opening of the circuit to the solenoid 4|, the circuit to the solenoid 31 is closed, causing the gripping member 30 to again grip the material to condition the element 23 to again advance a predetermined length of the material to the machine. This completes one cycle of operation of the apparatus and the machine. It is apparent that the apparatus may be readily and accurately adjusted through the adjustment of the set screws 45 and 46 to vary the amount of the material fed to the machine. It will be further understood that the connection of the switches for operation directly with the crank, or the operating shaft of the machine, makes possible the operation of the machine at variable speeds or at greatly increased speeds without the necessity of adjusting the apparatus, and regardless of the speed of operation of the machine the apparatus will accurately feed desired variable lengths of material to the machine.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 illustrates an apparatus for accomplishing the same result and, for the purpose of illustration, is associated with the same type of material working machine. As the machine shown in Fig. 4 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1, it is not believed necessary to repeat the description thereof, as the application of the same reference numerals to the drawings of both machines and the application of the same descriptive matter to both machines is believed suflicient. This embodiment of the apparatus consists of a support I2I substantially identical in structure to the support 2| in Figs. 1 and 2, slidably supporting a material feeding element I23 through an associated groove I24 and tongue I25, to allow movement of the element relative to the support toward and away from the machine. A gripping member I30 disposed in a passageway I28 of the element I23, has an inverted U-shaped yoke I33 slidable in guideways I34 and resting upon a lever I3I. The lever I3I is pivoted, at I32, and has its free end operatively connected at I35 to a solenoid core I36, the latter being actuable through the control of a solenoid Disposed in vertical portions at each end of the support I2I are adjustable set screws I45 and I45, their purpose being to serve as stops for the element I23 and to control the distance of movement of the element which may be varied by varying the distance between the heads ofthe set screwsand by other means hereinafter described. A stationary gripping member I48, slidably mounted in one of the vertical portions of the support .and cooperating with a stationary surface I49 thereof, has an integral yoke I50 slidable in guideways -I5I and connected, at I53, to a core I54 of a solenoid I55.

The mechanism thus far described in this embodiment of the invention is identical to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in a like manner the solenoids I31 and I55 are controlled through switches, indicated generally at I60, mounted upon or rotatable with the crank I3. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the switches are in pairs and the switches of each pair are connected one to a lead I6I and the other to a lead I62 of a main circuit, to supplyelectrical energy to the solenoids.

Brushes I64 are positioned in suitable stationary supports to engage their respective switches I60 to complete circuits to the solenoids at desired intervals during rotation of the crank. .Leads I69 and I10 connect the inner set of brushes I64 to the solenoid I55. Leads "I and I12 connect the outer set of brushes I64 to contact strips I13 and I14, respectively, which have associated brushes I15 and I16, respectively, movable with the element and respectively connected to the leads I11 and I18 which complete the circuit to the solenoid I31.

The gripping members I and I48 are actuated and controlled in the same manner as the gripping members 30 and 48 are controlled. The

difference in construction between the two embodiments of the invention therefor lies in the means for imparting movement to the material moving elements, Broadly, the mechanism for controlling the movement of the element I23 consists of an electrical transmitter I90 having a field circuit supplied with'a suitable source of electrical energy through lines I9I and directly connected to the crank\ I3 through gears I92 and I93, an electrical receiver I94 being controlled by the transmitter and operatively associated with means to cause reciprocable movement of the element. The electrical transmitter I90 and receiver I94 may be electrical units of any suitable type wherein one is mechanically actuated and conditioned to'cause like actuation of the other through remote control. One type of unit suitable for this purpose is commercially known as a Selsyn motor. With the use of two motors of this type, one mechanically driven by the crank I3 and the other positioned to actuate the element I23, the element may be moved in timed relation with the cross head I5 to feed the material at definite intervals to the machine. In this embodiment of the invention the field circuits of both the transmitter I 90 and the receiver are connected electrically to the same supply lines I 9I The three-phase winding of each rotor circuit of the transmitter and receiver are so connected, through conductors I95, that the rotor circuit of the receiver is constantly active to balance any induced voltage created by the rotor circuit of the transmitter and create a state of equilibrium. It will, therefore, be understood that, as the rotor circuit of the transmitter I90 is rotated by the crank, the induced voltage in the windings will change, disturbing the state of equilibrium, causing opposing magnetic fields to be set up in the rotor circuit of the receiver which produce a torque in the last mentioned circuit to again establish equilibrium. As electrical units of-this type are well known commercially it is not believed necessary to further illustrate or to delve further into their structure.

Due to the fact that the transmitter is directly driven by the crank I3 and is variable in speed with the crank, should any variation in speed exist, the receiver I94 will operate in synchronism with the crank. The receiver I94 drives a gear I91, which in turn drives a gear I90. Both the bearing for the shaft supporting the gear I98 and the base of the receiver I94 are mounted upon the'support I2I. A connecting pin 200, mounted upon an internally threaded block MI and slidable in guideways 202 mounted upon the gear I98, is adjustable relative to the axis of the gear by an adjusting screw 203, threadedly extending through the block and held against longitudinal movement to vary the distance of movement of the element I23, as willhereinafter'be described.

'arm. A link 2I0 operatively connects the lower end of the lever 208 to the element I23.

Referring now to the operation of this embodiment of the invention, a similar cycle of operation takes place, particularly for the energization of the solenoids I31 and I55, as that illustrated in Fig. 3. The operation of the transmitter I and the receiver I94 are continuous. yet due to the dwell in operation at the end of each half cycle created by the relative movement of the rocker arm 206 and the lever 208 like mover ments are imparted to the element I 23 as are imparted to the element 23 through the energization of the solenoids 40 and H By viewing Figs. 3 and 4 it will be observed that the element I23 is at a position approaching the set screw I45 or its forward feeding position advancing the material 20 to the machine. This movement of the element is caused by energization of the receiver controlled by the transmitter to rotate the gear I99 clockwise, causing movement to the left of link 205 and clockwise movement of the rocker arm 206 to impart a like movement to the lever 208 through the engaging lug 209. In this manner the element I23 is moved to the left through the link 2I0. This movement is continued until the connecting pin 200 passes beyond dead center. When the connecting pin reaches dead center the solenoid I55 is energized and immediately thereafter the solenoid I 31 is deenergized, freeing the gripping member I30 from the material and causing the gripping member I48 to hold the material against movement during the return of the element and operation on the material. The dwell in the movement of the element which takes place from the time the connecting pin 200 reaches dead center and until it moves a sufficient distance to move the rocker arm 206 to move the lug 209,

continues until the connecting pin :00 reaches dead center at the right of its axis, at which time the solenoid I3] is energized, and immediately thereafter the solenoid I55 is deenergized,

conditioning the apparatus for a movement to the left to advance another length of material 2|! to the machine.

The length of the material advanced to the machine may be varied by varying the distance of movement of the element. This is brought about by varying the positions of the set screws I45 and I46 from each other and by varying the position of the connecting pin 200 relative to the axis of the gear I98 through the adjustment of the screw 203.

In both embodiments of the invention variable lengths of the material may be fed to the machine by an element controlled directly by the machine and in this manner may operate at variable speeds with variations in the speeds of operation of the machine.

The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are illustrative only and may be widely modified and departed from in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as p0inted out in and limited only by the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element movable toward-and away from the machine, a gripping element to secure material to the material feeding element, an electrical unit conditioned when energized to actuate the gripping element, electrical units conditioned when energized to respectively move the feeding element toward and away from the machine, and electrical circuits for the units controlled by the member to cause energization of the units in predetermined sequence during each cycle of operation of the machine to feed the material thereto.

2. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element movable toward and away from the machine, a gripping element to secure material to the material feeding element, a stationary gripping element to hold the material against movement, electrical units conditioned when energized to actuate the gripping elements, respectively, electrical units conditioned when energized to respectively move the feeding element toward and away from the machine, and electrical circuits for the units controlled by the member to cause energization of the units in predetermined sequence during each cycle of operation of the machine to feed the material thereto and to hold the material against movement during movement of the feeding element away from the machine.

3. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element, a transmitting unit actuated by the member and variable with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, and a receiving unit operatively connected to the element and controlled by the electrical forces from the transmitting unit to cause actuation of the element in timed relation with the machine to feed material thereto.

4. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during 7 each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element, a transmitting unit actuated by the member and variable with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit operatively connected to the element and I controlled by the electrical forces from the transmitting unit to cause actuation of the element in timed relation with the machine to feed material thereto, and means to vary the distance of movement of the element to vary the amount a of material fed to the machine.

speed of movementof the member to transmit varying electrical forces, and a receiving unit operatively connected to the element and controlled by the electrical forces from the transmitting unit to cause actuation of the element in timed relation with the machine to feed material thereto, and at intermittent intervals.

6. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element, an electrical energy transmitting unit actuated by the member, an electrical energy receiving unit operatively connected to the element and controlled by the transmitting unit to cause actuation of the element in timed relation with the machine to feed material thereto, and means controlled by the member to secure the material to the element during movement of the element toward the machine.

7. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a material feeding element, a transmitting unit actuated by the member and variable with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit operatively connected to the element and controlled by the electrical forces from the transmitting unit to cause actuation of the element in timed relation with the machine to feed material thereto, and means controlled by the member to hold the material against movement.

8. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from the machine, electrically operated means controlled by the member to cause reciprocal movement of the carriage, an actuable material gripping element movable with the carriage, an electrical unit for actuating the gripping element, means controlled by the member to cause energization of the electrical unit during certain intervals of movement of the carriage to advance material to the machine between each cycle of operation thereof, and means to vary the extent of movement of the carriage to vary the amount of material advanced to the machine.

9. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from the machine, a transmitting unit rotated by the member at variable speeds with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit caused to rotate by the said electrical forces and at like speeds with the transmitting unit, and means operatively connecting the receiving unit to the carriage to cause movement of the latter by the former. V

10. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from the machine, a transmitting unit rotated by the member at variable speeds with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit caused to rotate by the said electrical forces and at like speeds with the transmitting unit, means operatively connecting the receiving unit to the carriage to cause movement of the carriage toward and away from the machine, and means to cause a material to move with the carriage toward the machine.

11. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from the machine, a transmitting unit rotated by the member at variable speeds with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit caused to rotateby the said electrical forces and at like speeds with the transmitting unit, means operatively connecting the receiving unit to the carriage to cause movement of the carriage toward and away a from the machine, and electromagnetic means controlled by the member to hold a material for movement with the carriage toward the machine.

12. The combination with a material workin machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from the machine, a transmitting unit rotated by the member at variable speeds with variations in the speed of movement of the member to transmit varying electrical forces, a receiving unit caused to rotate by the said electrical forces and at like speeds with the transmitting unit, and means operatively connecting the receiving unit to the carriage to cause movement of the carriage toward and away from the machine and allow rest intervals between each interval of movement of the carriage.

13. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal feeding and return movements toward and away from the machine, electrically operated means controlled by the member to cause reciprocal movement of the carriage, a solenoid movable with the carriage, an actuable gripping element movable with the carriage and operatively connected to the solenoid, means controlled by the member to cause energization of the solenoid to actuate the gripping elementto feed the material to the machine between each cycle of operation thereof, an actuable holding element, a solenoid operatively connected to the holding element, andmeans controlled by the member to cause energization of the last mentioned solenoid to cause actuation of the holding element to hold the material against movement during the return movement of the carriage.

14. The combination with a material working machine including a member movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal feeding and return movements toward and away from the machine, electrically operated means controlled by the member to cause reciprocal movements of the carriage toward and away from the machine and allqw rest intervals between each movement of the carriage, a solenoid movable with the carriage, an actuable gripping element movable with the carriage and operatively connected to the solenoid, means controlled by the member to cause energization of the solenoid to actuate the gripping element to feed the material to the machine between each cycle of operation thereof, an actuable holding element, a solenoid operatively connected to the holding element, and means controlled by the member to cause energization of the last mentioned solenoid to cause actuation of the holding element to hold the material against movement during the return movement of the carriage.

15. The combination with a material working machine including a member supporting switches and movable during each cycle of operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal feeding and return movements toward and away from the machine, electrical units to respectively move the carriage toward and away from the machine when energized, an electrical unit, when energized, to cause movement of a material with the carriage toward the machine, and electrical circuits for the units controlled by the switches tov cause energization of the units in predetermined sequence during each cycle of operation of the machine to reciprocate the carriage and cause feeding of the material to the machine between the operating cycles of the machine.

16. The combination with a material working machine including a member supporting switches and movable during each cycleof operation of the machine, of a carriage mounted for reciprocal feedingand return movements toward and away from the machine, electrical units to respectively move the carriage toward and away from the machine when energized, an electrical unit, when energized, to cause movement of a material with the carriage toward the machine, an electrical unit, when energized, to cause holding of the material against movement, and electrical circuits for the units controlled by the switches to cause energization of the units in predetermined sequence during each cycle of operation of the machine to move the carriage toward the machine, to cause the material to move with the carriage toward the machine, to cause return movement of the carriage away from the machine free of the material and cause holding of the material against movement during the return movement of the carriage.

ALFRED C. DE DORME. 

